Kneecap Shouts Out Palestine Action Group Amid 'Free Palestine' Chants At Glastonbury (image-instagram/IrishUnity)
The Irish trio , Kneecap, defying United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had earlier said that he did not think it was “appropriate” for the band to appear, performed at the Glastonbury Festival. The tens of thousands crowd came in chanting ‘Free Palestine’.
“The prime minister of your country, not mine, said he didn’t want us to play, so f*** Keir Starmer,” said O’Hanna, who appeared on stage wearing his trademark Palestinian keffiyeh.
Read also: Suicide Bombing: At Least 13 Soldiers Killed In Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province
The trio had also given a shoutout to the “Palestine Action” group, which the UK Interior Minister Yvette Cooper had announced to be included in the banned groups under the Terrorism Act of 2000.
O’Hanna, who performs under the name Mo Chara, also added that the situation is “quite stressful”, however it’s minimal when compared to what the Palestinians endure. He has been referring to the backlash the band had faced for its outspoken support of Palestinians in Gaza.
Ever since the band had accused Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinians during its performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California in April, several of their concerts were cancelled.
Meanwhile, O’Hanna has also been facing charges under the British Terrorism Act of supporting a proscribed organisation for allegedly waving a flag of Lebanon’s Hezbollah armed group at a concert in London in November last year. He said that he took up the flag, which was thrown onto the stage, without knowing what it represented. The rapper is on unconditional bail before a further court hearing in August.
The trio band, during the concert, also thanked the festival organisers Michael and Emily Eavis for resisting pressure to cancel their appearance. The Irish people and government have been some of the most outspoken critics of Israel’s offensive in Gaza. Many of its people see it as parallel to the English occupation of Ireland.
Read also: EU Leaders Meet In Brussels To Discuss Tariffs, Sanctions, Migration And West Asia
Meanwhile, BBC, which had broadcasted dozens of Glastonbury performances, did not show Kneecap’s set live and said that they would make it available online later.
The broadcaster said it would not be re-airing the live performance of British rap-punk duo Bob Vylan, who appeared on stage before Kneecap and led chants of “Free, free Palestine” and “Death, death to the IDF [Israeli army]”.
Soon after airing the event, the UK Culture Minister Lisa Nandy spoke to the BBC director general, Tim Davie, seeking an “urgent explanation”, reports BBC.
